Without security, addicts pose threat to staff
JALANDHAR:: The increasing number of drug addicts thronging outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centres is surely a sign of success for the district administration. However, in the absence of security at these centres, the increasing number of clashes between addicts and centre staff has become a matter of dread and nuisance.
Of the nine OOAT centres operational in the district, the OPD at Sheikhe village receives more than 1100 patients per day, while other centres receive an average of about 600, according to the health department.
Due to increasing numbers of addicts seeking treatment, centres find it difficult to distribute medication to all of them in the fixed 8am to 2 pm slot. “Sheikhe is the busiest OOAT centre but there is no security. Some centres have private guards but addicts aren’t afraid and create a ruckus after window close at 2pm,” said counsellor Manish Kumar.
On Saturday, some youth jumped over a wall and entered the centre when officials downed shutters at the fixed time. They beat up workers and forcibly took medicine. A complaint in this regard was filed before the commissioner of police, deputy commissioner and civil surgeon, an official at Sheikhe village centre said.
Officials said centres at Sheikhe, Apra, Phillaur and Kartarpur require immediate deployment of police as clashes have become more frequent.
“Our lives are in danger as addicts can do anything. We have apprised officials and submitted written requests to the DC and commissioner thrice in the past six months but to no avail,” said Dr Paramvir Singh in-charge of the Sheikhe clinic.
Responding to the complaints, deputy commissioner (DC) Varinder Kumar Sharma said he would ask the commissioner to review and provide adequate security at these centres.
35,000 ADDICTS TREATED
Besides OOATS, there are two drug de-addiction centres in the Jalandhar district where over 35,000 people have been treated in the last three years.